29 December 2007
The North West provincial government will continue to act decisively against
illegal initiation schools as well as any unlawful activities in initiation
schools. This follows the closure of an initiation school in Bodibe village
near Lichtenburg where six initiates were rushed to Thusong hospital after
suffering from initiation wounds.
Government wishes to reiterate that it recognises traditional initiation as
part of the culture, custom and tradition of many communities within the
province. Government has no intentions of interfering with traditional
practices and customs. However, it has a responsibility to ensure a balance
between respect for culture and customs as well as the need to protect the
health and human rights of the young boys who are taken to these schools.
The North West Provincial Government wishes to congratulate the South
African Police Service for the firm and decisive manner in which they are
dealing with unlawful activities relating to initiation schools. Government
strongly condemns the commercialisation of traditional initiation schools as
well as failure by some of the organisers to respect the agreement between the
provincial government and traditional leaders on the regulation of initiation
schools.
Government is particularly worried about the commercialisation of this
cultural practice which has given rise to abductions and forced admissions into
initiation schools. The provincial government is concerned that this once proud
traditional practice has now turned into pain for many young boys and their
families.
In the light of the recent mushrooming of fly-by-night initiation schools,
the need to act resolutely has become even more urgent. The provincial
government believes that it has a responsibility to curb unnecessary deaths and
the abuse of tradition by unscrupulous individuals for financial greed.
Abductions and forced admissions to initiation schools, human rights
violations, deaths and other forms of atrocities have become defining
characteristics of some initiation schools. Government's view is that this
cannot, and should not be allowed to continue. Government has a responsibility
to ensure that the lives and health of initiates are not endangered.
Government believes that enlisting at an initiation school should be, and
must be, a voluntary exercise, requiring the sanction of parents in the case of
minors.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Tanana Monama, Spokesperson: North West Provincial Government
Cell: 082 578 4063
Tel: 018 387 3456
Issued by: North West Provincial Government
29 December 2007
